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Ablation/ Ectopics/Atrium Tachycardia

Hi everyone,
Its been really good to read some of the posts on here. It's helped so much to cope with my forth coming ablation on 28th of this month.
I have never been so scared in all my life. I'm a divorced with 4 children to look after, so I'm doubly worried something bad will happen....
Many of the posts have come from America, has anyone had this procedure over here in UK?
My problem started with me not being able to run the same as I usually do, then the banging in my chest. I have had all usual tests, 24 hour holter, echo, the echo where they put tube down your throat, a "TOE" over here, a stress test (that showed up tachycardia by just walking, no wonder I couldn't run anymore) and now an angiogram. The tests all show my heart structure is fine, but the electrics are shot at......
They think I have PVOT-VT and atrial tachycardia. The EP comes over from Hull to Lancashire to the ablation.
Has anyone had anything similiar? Why can you not have anything to eat and drink prior to procedure? I could drink water prior to my angiogram....
Are you really asleep for most of it?
I know the EP goes in through the veins in groin and I'll be in hospital overnight. Been advised to take a week off work.
I'd be grateful for any help or support
Dawn x
8 Responses
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Avatar universal
I am not sure how long I have had AF before the first ablation. Must have had it for quite some time. I had a surgery in 2006 for MVR and AVR and I have mechanical valves now. The surgery was done after establishing AF and I am on Warfarin (Coumodin) now and I have to be on it for the rest of my life. The 2nd ablation was done by the same EP and he was very confident that he got all the bad boys. My ectopics have been on the increse on a daily basis since the 2nd ablation and I am more and more breathless most of the time without any exertion whatsoever. It is much worse than how I felt even before the 1st ablation.

I am an American, but I live in the UK. Any structural problems with my heart have been repeatedly ruled out. What really bothers me is the daily increase of ectopics and my breathlessness. I am a senior manager in my company and I take part in a lot of conference calls and meetings and I can't focus most of the time and am irritated a lot due to my breathlessness. I lose my breath a lot and can't speak in one go without breaking up.
Helpful - 0
996946 tn?1503249112
Hi and welcome...you don't say how long you've had a-fib or when your first ablation was? Was your second ablation done by the same Dr.?  Part of the problem  is that after only a week you are just starting the healing process.  Are you breathless all the time or just after exertion?

I had an ablation in Sept for a-fib....went through a string of anti-arhrythmic drugs and after almost 3 months my heart settled down on a high dose of flecainide and although I haven't had any a-fib since, I have had a lot of PAC's/PVC's and some atrial flutter.  My EP wants to do another ablation this spring but I want to see what happens when I am completely weaned off the flecainide.

Do you live in the U.S.?  Did your Dr. rule out any structural problems with your heart?  Are you taking a blood-thinner?  An anti-arrhythmic? My Dr told me it takes 3-6 months for the heart to heal after an ablation.  Try to be positive and know that this is not going to leave you doomed for the rest of your life.  I think you will find a lot of information and support here on MH.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I really don't know what to say. I have had 2 ablations so far; the latest one being exactly one week ago. After the 1st one, I was completely free of any ectopics for 2 weeks and after lifting something heavy, I went back into AF. I was cardioverted out of it and had another ablation last week. My EP said that he got all the short circuits this time, but I have almost constant ectopics now (much more than what I had pre-ablation) and I am still very breathless. I am not sure if these ectoips will ever fade away and I can regain some quality of life or I am just doomed for the rest of my life.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi
I've had my ablation, sadly it does not appear to have worked. It was done without sedation and took 3 and half hours. I'm heart broken its not worked, even more upset that it was not a nice experience. The doctors have a lot to learn about patient care and dignity. I'm told I may have to have it again, however I wont be having it done in Blackpool. I'm asking for Manchester next time...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi everyone
Thanks so much for all your comments. My date is getting nearer and I'm getting more scared.......
I know everyone else who has or is going through it also feels the same sort of things...
I just hope it goes ok and nothing bad happens..... I have 4 kids to look after and I'm on  my own......
Thanks again for your replys...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had an ablation three days ago and the procedure itself went fine.  The only thing that hurt was when I got the IV in my arm.  I was awake during the procedure but vaguely remember what happened, due to the sedation.  I have been sore around my groin area (where the tubes went in) but after three days it's much better.  Just get plenty of rest afterwards.  I wish you success during your procedure.
Helpful - 0
386141 tn?1291396896
Hi Dawn,

I'm from the UK and had both oft ablations for AVRNT in Birmingham. Last ablation was this March and I'm still getting ectopic beats but no SVT. I believe the reason why you cannot eat is due to the sedation they give you just in case you are sick during the procedure. The best thing about the procedure is the sedation makes you feel great! Well did me anyway. If you need to know more just drop me a line.

Regards

Tracey
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a different arrhythmia condition than you do and I am not in the UK, but I am also scheduled for an evaluation and possible ablation this month and I completely understand and empathize with your feelings about this. While I have been recommended for an ablation procedure several times over the past 20 years, I am only just now seriously considering it.

One step you can take that might help you with your fears is to listen to "surgery preparation and relaxation" recordings. Studies have shown these can help patients significantly to not only be less fearful, but to have improved outcomes. Even listening for just a few days before your procedure can be of benefit. You can download many of them right off the internet and most any that includes a "body scan" relaxation exercise combined with positive visualization will be effective. A couple you can look for are by Belleruth Naparstek (healthjourneys.com) and Peggy Huddleston -- these cost money to download, but if you google the terms, "surgery preparation audio", you should be able to find some that are free. If you decide to do this, try to listen a couple of times each day before your procedure -- which will probably not be easy for a single mom with 4 kids!

There have been several posts on this subject by patients from the UK. If you use the "search this community" window upper right, you can put in the terms ablation and UK and get a list of postings that include comments and experiences from the UK.

Different facilities handle pre-op slightly differently, but I would guess that the reason you are not allowed to have even sips of water before your ablation (while you were allowed this before your angiogram) is that ablations often last longer and require significantly more sedation. Having things in your tummy could conceivably cause complications.

Different facilities and EP docs handle sedation and anesthesia differently, too, depending on the needs of their patients and their own preferences. Some patients actually receive a general anesthesia while others receive heavy sedation (and often "sleep" through much of it) and others seem to be pretty much awake through much of it. I think it is important to discuss your fears and concerns with your doctor and/or facility so they will know how best to help you through this. Often one of the EP nurses can give you helpful information, and relay any of your questions and concerns that they cannot answer, to the doctor.

There are many, many people who have had very positive and life changing results from their ablation procedures, so communicate with your doctors and get all your questions answered before the procedure (remember, it is their job to take care of you -- mind and body!) and try to stay focused on the positive. Best wishes and good luck!

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